The ‘Special Relationship’ with USA (AQA A-Level History): Revision Notes
The 'Special Relationship' with USA
The nature of the relationship under Thatcher
Different British Prime Ministers have prioritised different international relationships. Edward Heath regarded links to Europe as supremely important, but his successor as Conservative leader, Margaret Thatcher, looked rather to the United States. During her time as Prime Minister (1979-1990), a genuinely 'special relationship' appeared to exist between the UK and USA, strengthened by the fact that the American president held political views compatible with her own.
Ronald Reagan and the Conservative Revolution
Ronald Reagan served as US President from 1981 to 1989, bringing a background in right-wing, anti-communist, Cold War politics. On taking office, he announced his famous declaration:
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem."
Such a statement could only have pleased the British Prime Minister, who shared his suspicion of state intervention and belief in free-market economics.
The alignment between Thatcher and Reagan extended beyond economics. Both believed strongly in maintaining robust defence capabilities, accepting that the USSR posed a continual military threat. The 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet forces reinforced their anxiety about Soviet expansionism.
Tensions within the relationship
Despite ideological alignment, the relationship experienced notable tensions. Two incidents illustrate the limits of the special relationship.
The Grenada Invasion, 1983
The US responded to political instability in Grenada in 1983 by invading, declaring that the island was falling into the hands of pro-Soviet forces. As a member of the Commonwealth, Grenada had Elizabeth II as its head of state.
In the preceding days and hours before the invasion, Thatcher urged Reagan not to invade.
Reagan's failure to inform Thatcher that an invasion had begun caused considerable embarrassment to the British Prime Minister and demonstrated American willingness to act unilaterally, even against Commonwealth nations with Britain's monarch as head of state.
The Falklands Crisis, 1982
Initially, US Secretary of State General Al Haig's attempts to negotiate a settlement to the 1982 Falklands crisis annoyed Thatcher. For the United States, this was a war between two American allies.
When Argentina turned down attempts at peacemaking, the US demonstrated clearer support for Britain:
- The US banned arms sales to Argentina
- Both Houses of the US Congress passed resolutions supporting the USA siding with the United Kingdom
This backing proved valuable, though it came only after Britain had made clear it would pursue military action regardless.
Key Points to Remember:
- The 'special relationship' under Thatcher was strengthened by ideological alignment with Reagan, particularly on free-market economics, anti-communism, and Cold War defence priorities.
- Reagan's famous quote "government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem" resonated strongly with Thatcher's political philosophy.
- The relationship experienced tensions: the Grenada invasion (1983) saw the US invade without informing Thatcher, despite Grenada being a Commonwealth nation with Elizabeth II as head of state.
- During the Falklands crisis (1982), initial US attempts at negotiation annoyed Thatcher, but America ultimately backed Britain with arms bans on Argentina and Congressional resolutions of support.